Talk therapy

The country's largest psychiatric institution, St Giles Hospital, has confirmed mental disorders among Fijians are on the rise. Picture: FILE

WITH the increasing number of mental disorder cases facing Fijians, psychologist Selina Kuruleca believes professional counselling can solve the problem.

Ms Kuruleca said it was important for people with symptoms of anxiety, anger or behavioural change to seek appropriate help.

"They first need to get a medical check-up in case it's just a medical condition and if that does not work, they need to get appropriate support and that appropriate support can be in the form of counselling," she said.

"They can see a professional counsellor or get assistance from the hospital."

Ms Kuruleca said it was also important for people to talk to others if they feel they could not handle the pressure.

"It is usually a very difficult time in the beginning of the new year when there is a lot of stress, a lot of bills to pay and people being put into education, so the ability of a person to cope may not be as good as it normally is."

Ms Kuruleca said a lot of partying could also affect a person's mental stability.

"A lot of issues require counselling.

"The only time counselling will not work by itself if there is chemical imbalance — the need for psychotropic drugs or medication."

She said the ability of a person to get back to his or her normal condition would be high if he or she underwent counselling and took medication at the same time.

The country's largest psychiatric institution, St Giles Hospital, has confirmed mental disorders among Fijians are increasing with at least 30 cases seen on a daily basis.